JP4332790B2 - Optimal lubrication guide system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optimal refueling guide using car navigation.

  The demand for navigation devices is rapidly increasing in response to social needs such as improving safety, convenience, and information-oriented vehicles. This navigation apparatus can set a destination by a map display, or can easily set a destination by inputting an address, a telephone number, or the like. When driving is started, the recommended route is displayed on the map, and when changing the course at an intersection, etc., the optimal route direction is displayed on the map and the advance notice / immediate guidance is also given. Along the way to the destination with confidence. As a result, driving in a vehicle equipped with a navigation device can be routed properly to the destination with a certain amount of space, which is useful for improving the economy / convenience of automobiles and reducing driving fatigue. .

In addition, the navigation device uses a road traffic information communication system, etc., to make a vehicle flexible and flexible when it is involved in traffic restrictions and traffic congestion associated with an accident, etc. It can also lead you to your destination appropriately. Although such a navigation device can provide route guidance for the shortest distance or the shortest time to the destination, there are hilly areas and mountainous areas on the route, and by traveling for a long time in a steep ascending / descending section Vehicle fuel consumption may not always be optimal. In addition, fuel consumption (hereinafter also referred to as “fuel consumption”) is good when driving on roads with short signal intervals in urban driving or on roads with frequent acceleration / deceleration such as driving in congested areas. In some cases, it was not possible. In order to solve such a fuel consumption problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a navigation device that performs a fuel consumption simulation on a candidate route from a departure place to a destination, selects an optimum route, and performs route guidance for improving fuel consumption. ing.
JP 2000-2553 A

  Such a navigation device is effective when the recommended route can be reached from the departure point to the destination without refueling on the way. However, if the distance of this recommended route becomes long and it is necessary to refuel at least once, or if traffic jams or detours are encountered due to sudden changes in traffic conditions, etc., good fuel as simulated The problem is that consumption cannot be obtained.

The problem of the present invention is that, even when it is necessary to refuel far from the starting point to the destination, or when it is necessary to change route guidance flexibly due to sudden changes in traffic conditions, An object of the present invention is to provide an optimum refueling guidance system that can achieve the best fuel consumption according to the latest road and traffic environment even in a situation where there is no refueling station on a toll road such as a road and it is not possible to refuel easily.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

The optimum refueling guidance system of the present invention is a car navigation system that performs route guidance from the vehicle position to the destination based on map data.
Fuel remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of fuel that the vehicle can use in the future,
Vehicle weight calculation means for estimating a change in vehicle weight using a weight detection device that detects vehicle weight related information related to the vehicle weight ;
A gradient calculation means for deriving gradient information including a road gradient related to a route from the departure place to the destination based on road data including elevation information of map data;
Fuel efficiency optimal route calculation means for calculating the fuel efficiency optimal route that minimizes the total fuel consumption when driving from the departure point to the destination by calculating the remaining fuel amount information, vehicle weight related information, gradient information and map data When,
The map data includes information related to the gas station. In the map data, the optimum oil supply is considered in consideration of the change in the fuel consumption due to the gradient related information on the fuel efficiency optimal route from the gas stations present on the fuel efficiency optimal route. An optimal refueling point search means for searching for points;
And an optimum fueling point display guide means for displaying and guiding the optimum fueling point with a map and / or voice.

  If it does in this way, it can reach to a destination with the best fuel consumption by refueling based on the refueling guide of the optimal refueling guide system of the present invention, and an economic merit is obtained. In addition, there is no worry about running out of gas in the middle of traveling, and there is no doubt about the choice of gas station, so you can enjoy a calm and comfortable drive.

Further, the optimum fuel supply guidance system of the present invention is configured so that the fuel remaining amount detecting means is configured so that fuel can be stably supplied from the fuel tank to the engine at all road gradients between the optimum fuel supply points. Preferably, the fuel remaining amount calculation is performed in consideration of the effective fuel remaining amount determined by at least one of the structure and the road gradient.

In this way, even when traveling on a road with a steep road gradient, it is possible to accurately estimate the vehicle's travelable distance based on the remaining amount of effective fuel, and an engine caused by a sudden gas shortage in front of a gas station, etc. There is no need to worry about the stop. Therefore, you can concentrate on safe driving with peace of mind.

The optimum refueling guidance system of the present invention can be configured such that the optimum refueling point search means takes road traffic information received by the in-vehicle communication system into consideration for the search for the optimal refueling point.

In this way, even if the road or traffic environment changes, such as traffic conditions, you are involved in a traffic jam along the route to the destination or you are forced to make a detour, The next optimal refueling point suitable for the traffic environment can be found accurately. As a result, it is possible to keep the fuel consumption until reaching the destination at the best or the second best.

Further, the optimum fuel consumption route calculation means in the optimum fuel supply guidance system of the present invention is configured to derive the optimum fuel consumption route based on vehicle performance information including a vehicle running performance curve, a fuel consumption curve, and a driving force diagram. You can also.
The optimum refueling point search means in the optimum refueling guidance system of the present invention is based on vehicle performance information including vehicle running performance curve, vehicle fuel consumption curve, and driving force diagram, and gradient information, and at the optimum refueling point. You may comprise so that the optimal oil supply amount may be derived | led-out .

  In this way, it is possible to receive guidance on the optimum route from the departure point to the destination, the optimum oil supply point, and the optimum oil supply amount at each optimum oil supply point. As a result, traveling and refueling at each time point on the traveling route can be appropriately performed, and smooth driving can be enjoyed, and at the same time, the economic joy that fuel consumption is the best can be experienced.

The optimum refueling point search means in the optimum refueling guide system of the present invention is configured to search for the optimum refueling point so that the remaining amount of fuel is smaller when climbing and the remaining amount of fuel is greater when descending. You can also.
Further, the optimum refueling point search means in the optimum refueling guide system of the present invention is such that when there is a road passing through the hill / mountainous region in the middle of the flat area of the fuel efficiency optimum route, the position close to the highest altitude of the hill / mountainous region. The filling station is searched as the optimum filling point, the full tank filling is derived as the optimum filling amount, and the optimum filling point display guide means is configured to display and guide so that the full filling is performed at the optimum filling point. You can also.

In this way, it is possible to achieve optimum fuel efficiency that reflects the climbing performance and descending performance of the vehicle even when there is a hilly area or a mountainous area on the way to the destination.

The fuel consumption optimum route calculating means at the optimum fuel supply guide system of the present invention, as the fuel consumption optimal route, and the cost of the total fuel consumption when traveling from the departure point to the destination, when the vehicle travels from the departure point to the destination It is also possible to derive a route that minimizes the sum of the toll costs .

The optimum refueling guidance system of the present invention is a refueling system in the case where the distance from the entrance of a road that pays a fee, such as an expressway, to a next exit is long, and there is no refueling station between them. In consideration of the impossible road distance, the fueling point may be guided before boarding.

Hereinafter, the best mode of the optimum oil supply guide system of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of the optimum oil supply guide system of the present invention. The position detector 1 that detects the current position of the vehicle , that is, the position of the own vehicle, is a distance sensor that uses a geomagnetic sensor 2, a gyroscope 3 that uses an optical fiber gyro, etc., a vehicle speed sensor that detects the rotation of a wheel, etc. 4 and GPS receiver 5 that receives radio waves from positioning satellites and performs global three-dimensional positioning. GPS receivers are not subject to Selective Availability, and are determined by DOP (Dilution of Precision) determined by the satellite's position at that time relative to the vehicle position. In the suburbs where the sky over the vehicle is good, the positioning accuracy is about 10m to 20m. Is obtained. In urban areas with many high-rise buildings, radio waves coming from positioning satellites are shielded or multiple-reflected, so the positioning accuracy deteriorates several times that of suburban positioning accuracy, but DGPS (Differential Global Positioning) using FM multiplex broadcasting etc. If System is used, the positioning accuracy can be less than 10m even in urban areas. In a driving environment where GPS radio waves are not received during tunnel driving under a viaduct, positioning by inertial navigation using the distance sensor 2 or the gyroscope 3 is mainly applied.

A map data input device 6 using CD or DVD inputs necessary map data or the like to a control circuit 8 using a CPU, DSP or the like. An external information input / output device 11 that communicates with a radio wave beacon or optical beacon of VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) or receives FM multiplex broadcast inputs the obtained road traffic information to the control device 8 in a timely manner. A color display 10 using an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like is interfaced to the control circuit 8 and displays travel route map information, intersection route information, road traffic, and the like according to the operation status of the system. The instruction signal transmitted from the remote controller 13 for operating the input of the destination by the driver and the occupant is received by the remote controller sensor 12 and sent to the control circuit 8. The basic function of this optimum refueling guidance system is the same as that of a normal navigation device, and it will be briefly described as follows. Easily set a destination by searching for a destination on the map and setting the corresponding location, searching for and selecting public facilities, event venues, hotels, etc., or entering an address, telephone number, etc. using keys can do. When driving is started, the recommended route is displayed on the map, and when changing the course at an intersection, etc., the optimal route direction is displayed on the map and the advance notice / immediate guidance is also given. Along the way to the destination. In addition, when displaying the route, when driving in a road environment where the shape of the road such as an urban area or its arrangement is complicated, map matching is performed to accurately match the map data with the positioning data, and the intersection / branch road, Alternatively, it is possible to provide accurate guidance on getting on and off highway junctions.

Next, main functions of the optimum oil supply guide system of the present invention will be described. The remaining fuel amount detection device 7 detects the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank, calculates the remaining amount of effective fuel according to the road environment, and informs the control circuit 8 of the remaining amount of effective fuel every predetermined cycle. The vehicle weight detection device 9 inputs necessary information, estimates the vehicle weight with respect to the current time and the future time, and inputs the vehicle weight to the control circuit 8 in a timely manner. The output information of the vehicle weight detection device 9 and the remaining fuel amount detection device 7 is organically integrated with the output information of the position detector 1, the map data input 6 and the external information input / output device 11 related to the navigation-related functions described above. As a result, the optimum oil supply point, which is the central function of the present invention, is guided.

First, a method for deriving road gradient information related to a candidate route to a destination will be described. Altitude information is prepared for each road segment in the road data that constitutes the main part of the map data (see “Car navigation / public data structure KIWI and its usage” published by Kyoritsu Publishing Co., Ltd.) The altitude value and the road slope value of each segment can be known by numerically calculating the data of this information. When road data including this altitude information is input to the CPU of the control circuit and the candidate route from the destination / vehicle position to the destination is calculated, the gradient and altitude (elevation, etc.) of each road on the route are continuously and It can be derived with high accuracy.

Next, a method for deriving the remaining amount of effective fuel will be described. When the road surface is flat, that is, when the road slope is substantially zero, the fuel level sensor installed in the fuel tank has an appropriate fuel level because the fuel level in the fuel tank is parallel to the vehicle body. Detected. However, on roads that pass through hills and mountainous areas, the level of the fuel at the time of climbing and descending is large, and the fuel level is greatly inclined with respect to the vehicle body.
A reactive fuel remaining amount (a liquid amount that is difficult to be stably supplied from the fuel tank to the engine due to the inclination of the vehicle body) occurs due to the inclination of the liquid level relative to the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank. Therefore, the information on the structure and shape of the fuel tank and the inclination angle of the vehicle body (which is approximated by the above-mentioned road gradient) are input to the CPU and processed to calculate the “apparent fuel remaining amount” associated with the inclination. After correcting to “true fuel remaining amount”, [true fuel remaining amount] − [invalid fuel remaining amount] = [effective fuel remaining amount] is calculated.

  Next, a method for estimating the change in vehicle weight will be described. For the output of the occupant detection sensor installed on each seat of the vehicle, the output of the fuel remaining amount detection device 7 (the aforementioned “true fuel remaining amount”), and heavier than baggage, such as golf, fishing, diving, mountain climbing, etc. Enter the output of a key switch (shared with the remote control 13) that inputs the total load when the leisure equipment to be used is loaded, and first estimate the vehicle weight at the initial value (at the departure point or the own vehicle position) To do. Next, the fuel consumption of each section of each road when traveling on the candidate route based on this initial value is integrated using the road section distance and road gradient, and this is reflected in the initial value. Estimate changes in vehicle weight at each point along the route.

  Next, a method for deriving the optimum refueling point and the optimum fuel consumption route will be described using the calculation chart of FIG. In step P1, based on the above-mentioned destination setting, a candidate route presumed to have good fuel efficiency from the departure point to the destination [further minimize the toll if necessary] is selected from the vehicle performance information (travel Performance curves, fuel consumption curves, driving force diagrams, etc.) and traffic information received by the communication system or weather information received by the radio are input to the CPU for calculation processing, and a comprehensive judgment is made to select a plurality. Thereafter, the vehicle information such as the vehicle weight and the fuel remaining amount and the road information of the road gradient are taken into the control circuit. In step P2, the above-mentioned vehicle performance information is added to these pieces of information to perform calculation processing such as fuel efficiency calculation, and the fuel efficiency optimal route is derived from the candidate routes. [Furthermore, in consideration of the economic effect of Total, an optimal cost route that minimizes the total traveling cost (= cost of fuel consumption + cost of toll, etc.) may be derived. ] In step P3, a fuel station on the optimal fuel efficiency route [or optimal cost route] is searched from map data, and an optimal fueling point (optimum fueling position) is set in advance. After that, while referring to the road traffic information in a timely manner, in step P4, the vehicle position and the remaining amount of effective fuel at each time point are examined to guide the optimum fueling point.

When the driver finds a gas station corresponding to this and the vehicle arrives at the gas station, the next candidate optimum salary point is notified in advance on a map display, etc., and if necessary, the optimum oil amount is also included. Display guidance. In P5, based on this refueling performance, the fuel efficiency calculation similar to P2 is performed, and the update of the optimal fuel efficiency route and the search for the next optimal refueling point are started.
If the optimal refueling point could not be guided in step P4 (due to detour regulations, etc.), or if the relevant filling station could not be found due to circumstances (holiday / relocation, etc.), Search for the optimal refueling points and guide the results. From this point of view, detecting the remaining amount of effective fuel, that is, keeping the remaining amount of reserve to the minimum necessary also serves as a fail safe.

Next, the relationship between the vehicle weight / road gradient (elevation) and the optimum fueling point in the hill or mountainous area and the method for deriving the optimum fueling point will be described using the uphill / downhill chart of FIG. ○, △, and × in the vehicle travel section indicate the effect of vehicle weight on fuel efficiency, ○ indicates that the efficiency is increased, × indicates that the efficiency is decreased, and △ indicates that it has little effect on the efficiency. means. In constant speed driving on a flat section, that is, a road with zero road slope, [driving resistance during flat driving] ≒ [rolling resistance] + [air resistance] ----- (1) There is essentially no effect. In constant speed driving on an uphill / downhill, [Driving resistance during uphill driving] ≒ [Driving resistance during flat driving] + [Gradient resistance] ---- (2), [Gradient resistance] = [Vehicle weight] × sinθ ---- (3), where θ = the inclination angle of the road (θ is + for uphill and-for downhill, and its unit is rad). Here, if the road gradient = tan θ and the vehicle is a normal slope where the vehicle travels, an approximation of tan θ≈sin θ holds, and therefore, the relationship of sin θ≈gradient— (4) is obtained. In essence, it has the relationship of [fuel consumption] ∝ [running resistance]
From (2), (3), and (4), consider the following relationship: [Running resistance when running uphill] ≒ [Running resistance when running flat] + [Vehicle weight] x [Slope] ---- (5) Then, it can be seen that the fuel consumption when traveling on a hill decreases in proportion to the vehicle weight and increases on a descending slope.

When the formula of the gradual potential energy is applied to the vehicle, the relationship between the decrease in fuel consumption on climbing slopes, the improvement in fuel efficiency on descending slopes, and the potential potential energy: U = [vehicle weight] x [altitude] --- -Considering what is expressed in (6), the following conclusions can be drawn. If there is a hilly area in the middle of the flat area and you can pass through this hilly area with a single refueling (there are many such topography in Japan), the effective fuel level is almost zero and the altitude is at the highest point. When the vehicle can be reached and full tank refueling at its highest point (fuel is supplied to the fuel tank fully), the vehicle weight takes the maximum value from the viewpoint of fuel supply at the highest point, and its gravitational potential energy is Maximum. When passing through this hilly area, the vehicle weight is minimal when climbing, so the fuel consumption required for climbing is minimum from (5), and the vehicle weight is maximum when descending (5 ) Fuel consumption required for climbing is minimal. Therefore, it can be seen that the fuel consumption when passing through this hill is the best when full tank refueling is performed at the highest altitude.

  By extending the relational expression as shown in (5) and further combining the driving performance curve, fuel consumption curve, etc. of the vehicle and calculating it, the optimal fuel consumption route from the starting point to the destination can be optimized. It is understood that the optimal oiling point can be accurately derived. In addition, by incorporating road traffic information such as VICS and weather information in a timely manner and improving / updating this optimal fuel efficiency route and its optimal refueling point to fit the latest road driving environment, the actual road that changes every moment It is possible to realize an optimal refueling guidance system that can adapt more smoothly and flexibly to the environment.

The figure explaining the block configuration of the optimal oil supply guide system of this invention. The figure explaining the derivation | leading-out method of the optimal refueling point of the optimal refueling guidance system of this invention, and a fuel consumption optimal path | route. The figure explaining the derivation method of the relationship between a vehicle weight / road gradient and an optimal oiling point, and an optimal oiling point.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Position detector 2 Geomagnetic sensor 3 Gyroscope 4 Distance sensor 5 GPS receiver 6 Map data input device 7 Fuel remaining amount detection apparatus (fuel remaining amount detection means)
8 Control circuit (CPU, gradient calculation means, optimal oil supply calculation means)
9 Vehicle weight detection device (vehicle weight calculation means)
10 Color Display 11 External Information Input / Output Device 12 Remote Control Sensor 13 Remote Control

Claims (8)

In a car navigation system that provides route guidance from your vehicle location to your destination based on map data,
Fuel remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of fuel that the vehicle can use in the future,
Vehicle weight calculation means for estimating a change in vehicle weight using a weight detection device that detects vehicle weight related information related to the vehicle weight ;
Gradient calculation means for deriving gradient information including road gradient related to the route from the starting point to the destination based on road data including the elevation information of the map data;
The fuel consumption is calculated by calculating the fuel remaining amount information, the vehicle weight related information, the gradient information, and the map data, and deriving the optimum fuel consumption route that minimizes the total fuel consumption when traveling from the departure place to the destination. An optimum route calculation means;
The map data includes information about a gas station, and in the map data, taking into account changes in fuel consumption due to gradient-related information on the fuel efficiency optimal route from among the gas stations present on the fuel efficiency optimal route, An optimum refueling point search means for searching for an optimal refueling point;
Optimal fueling point display guide means for displaying and guiding the optimal fueling point with a map and / or voice;
An optimal oiling guide system characterized by comprising:   The fuel remaining amount detecting means includes at least a fuel tank shape, a structure and a road gradient so that fuel can be stably supplied from the fuel tank to the engine at all road gradients between the optimum fueling points. The optimal fuel supply guide system according to claim 1, wherein the remaining fuel amount is calculated in consideration of an effective remaining fuel amount determined by any one of the above. 2. The optimum refueling guidance system according to claim 1, wherein in the optimum refueling point search means , road traffic information received by the in-vehicle communication system is taken into account for searching for the optimum refueling point. 4. The fuel efficiency optimal route calculation means derives the fuel efficiency optimal route based on vehicle performance information including a driving performance curve, a fuel efficiency curve, and a driving force diagram of the vehicle. 5. The optimal lubrication guidance system described. The optimum refueling point search means derives the optimum refueling amount at the optimum refueling point based on the vehicle performance information including the driving performance curve of the vehicle, the fuel consumption curve of the vehicle, and the driving force diagram, and the gradient information. The optimal oil supply guide system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . 6. The optimal fueling point search means searches for the optimal fueling point so that the remaining amount of fuel is smaller when climbing up and the remaining amount of fuel is higher when descending. The optimal lubrication guide system described in 1. The optimum refueling point search means, when there is a road passing through a hill / mountainous region in the middle of the flat zone of the fuel efficiency optimum route,
While searching for the filling station located near the highest altitude of the hill / mountainous region as the optimum filling point, deriving full tank filling as the optimum filling amount,
The optimal oiling guide display means according to claim 6, wherein the optimal oiling point display guide means displays and guides so as to fill up the tank at the optimal oiling point. The fuel consumption optimum route calculating means, as the fuel consumption optimal route, and the cost of the total fuel consumption when traveling from the departure point to the destination, from the departure point to the cost of the toll when traveling to the destination The optimal oil supply guide system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a route that minimizes the sum is derived.

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